Program Overview

An International Foundation Year at our International Study Centre prepares you for your degree at Lancaster University. You will focus on English language, university-level study skills, and academic modules that relate to your degree subject.

Supporting your progression to the University
At the International Study Centre, we take every measure to ensure you are supported in your academic journey. Our programmes allow for increased time spent learning, researching and developing your skills. By studying with us, you will benefit from:

• Formal assessments at the end of each term.
• An improved English language module, Academic English Skills, providing greater opportunity for informal assessments and feedback.
• Combining and reducing the number of module assessments allowing more time to prepare.
• A personal tutorial system with a focus on your academic progress at key points of the academic year, creating action plans based on your performance and progession options.

Business and Management Studies
An International Foundation Year in Business and Management Studies leads to a choice of degrees at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) – one of the top 100 business schools in the world. To prepare for your degree, you will study subject modules and core English language modules. Degree options include Accounting, Business Studies, and International Business Management.
You will learn how businesses operate, and how to prepare and interpret financial accounts. Other areas of study include economic policies, and international trade. Throughout the course, you will develop analysis and evaluation skills, and apply your knowledge to real-world situations.

Management and Entrepreneurship (Study Abroad)
In an unpredictable world, innovative minds have the edge. Thinking and acting entrepreneurially is as valuable in a large organisation as it is to a new venture. Both leading companies and start-ups must develop new ideas, products and services that create value. That’s why they look for graduates with an entrepreneurial mindset, someone comfortable with change and challenge.

Entrepreneurs are trailblazers who relish the challenge of change. Connecting the needs for profitability with an understanding of the increasing pressures that the world is facing, the entrepreneurs of tomorrow will be those who are able to identify new opportunities that create value for customers, society and business. Do you want to feel empowered to make things happen? To be resilient to change? This could be the right degree for you.

This is no typical management programme. We are at the forefront of entrepreneurial education, drawing on world-leading theories. Our approach encompasses all elements of the entrepreneurial process, including creativity, opportunity recognition, sales, finance, entrepreneurial leadership and effective communication. It is also complemented through a focus on the development of the entrepreneurial self – you. Our programme will inspire and motivate you to make change, at the same time as building resilience to the many challenges you might face.  

Our entrepreneurs-in-residence act as sounding boards for your ideas, participate in your lectures and are available for regular working lunches. Our focus is on practice, skills and understanding. You will be asked to come up with ideas, gather resources and deliver solutions that solve real-world, global and local problems and challenges.

In the third year, you’ll study at a Lancaster University partner university. These partners are located in several continents, with recent students studying in Australia, Italy, or USA amongst other countries. Your year overseas allows you to study modules that are local specialities, and to see how entrepreneurship is taught in other contexts. Study abroad brings many advantages, including personal and educational development, experiencing a new culture, and enhanced employability. Living in a different place really does promote fresh thinking and will be a valuable addition to your studies at Lancaster.

This degree helps you understand the complexities of the real world and how to do business within it. Whether you join a graduate programme with a bank, or start your own business, this degree gives you the tools to succeed.

Lancaster University will make reasonable endeavours to place students at an approved overseas partner university that offers appropriate modules which contribute credit to your Lancaster degree.  Occasionally places overseas may not be available for all students who want to study abroad or the place at the partner university may be withdrawn if core modules are unavailable. If you are not offered a place to study overseas, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent standard degree scheme and would complete your studies at Lancaster.

Lancaster University cannot accept responsibility for any financial aspects of the year or term abroad.